Day: November 29, 2023

In Windhoek, National Youth Security Services (NYSS) guards staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, demanding an increase in hourly wages. Currently earning N.dollars 7.75 per hour, they seek a raise to the minimum wage of N.dollars 10.00, as per government regulation, effective from 15 December 2023. Rachel Stefanus, representing the NYSS guards, emphasized their refusal to endure further exploitation by NYSS management.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), She pointed out that a 2016 collective agreement for the security industry’s minimum wage, signed by the Security Association of Namibia and related trade unions, has been ignored by NYSS, leading to a lack of salary improvements and contravention of the agreement designed to enhance security officers’ living standards. Stefanus also highlighted NYSS’s non-compliance with a non-compliance order issued in 2018 after the matter was taken up by trade unions. Ben Biwa, NYSS business development manager, received the petition from the protesters, promising to convey their demands to the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, and the NYSS Commissioner, Felix Musukubili.

In Gaborone, the Namibian senior netball team, the Debmarine Desert Jewels, triumphed against Zimbabwe in the opening game of the African Netball Cup. This year’s tournament, the 13th edition, is hosted in Botswana from 26 November to 06 December 2023.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Namibia established an early lead in the match, ending the first quarter ahead 10-6. Zimbabwe rallied in the second quarter, evening the score at 20-20 by halftime. However, Namibia regained control in the third quarter, leading 32-28. The final quarter saw Namibia maintain their lead, finishing with a 45-36 victory. Debmarine Desert Jewels head coach Julene Meyer expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and their readiness for the next game against Zambia. The 2023 Africa Netball Cup features teams from across the continent, including defending champions South Africa, host Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Burundi. Namibia will face Zambia in their next match on Wednesday afternoon.

The European Union (EU) delegation in Namibia has joined forces with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. A contribution agreement was signed on Wednesday, marking a significant step in the collaborative effort to promote gender equality and address GBV in Namibia.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the EU has contributed NAD 28 million towards a national campaign aimed at reducing GBV and fostering gender equality. The agreement, titled ‘Gender Equality/Combating Gender-Based Violence,’ was signed by EU Ambassador to Namibia, Beatriz Martins, and UNFPA assistant representative Loide Amkongo.

Ambassador Martins emphasized the critical importance of the collective commitment to eradicating GBV. She stated that the agreement with UNFPA is meticulously structured, with defined objectives and a comprehensive strategy to confront the widespread challenges faced by women and girls in Namibia. The overarching goal of the programme is to contribute to the reduction of GBV in targeted regions of Namibia by 2027.

UNFPA, as the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, works alongside the government and various partners to end preventable maternal deaths and combat GBV and harmful practices. Amkongo expressed that the agreement with the EU represents a significant step forward in addressing one of the most pressing issues in Namibia, particularly impacting the lives of women and girls. She highlighted the importance of this partnership, especially during the 16 days of activism against GBV.

The signing of the agreement, which took place at an event held at Hope Initiative Southern Africa in the capital, also coincided with the launch of the Combating GBV campaign. UNFPA contributed NAD 2.9 million to this campaign, which aims to address GBV at both national and subnational levels over the next 36 months.

Amkongo outlined that the strategic implementation of the programme would significantly impact communities, specifically in the Zambezi, Ohangwena, Khomas, Kunene, and Omaheke regions. These regions have been identified for targeted interventions based on critical gaps highlighted in the National Gender Policy and the National GBV Plan of Action. The programme’s comprehensive approach involves collaboration with government entities and civil society organizations, ensuring an inclusive and effective response to gender-based violence.

In Outapi, a 31-year-old school secretary, Salom Hango of Leinge Private School, was granted bail set at N.dollars 1 000 in a case involving the theft of examination papers. The Outapi Magistrate’s Court heard the case on Wednesday. Elizabeth Kornelius, a 17-year-old Grade 9 student at Oneheke Combined School and co-accused with Hango, was released into parental care. They are charged with the theft of national and regional examination question papers and violating section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 08/2003.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Moses Simaho, the duo’s trial is postponed to 02 February 2024 for further investigation. Simaho revealed that Hango allegedly misused his position to provide examination materials to Kornelius. The school principal reported the incident, which occurred on Monday, to the police.

RUNDU, President Hage Geingob of Namibia has announced a State Funeral for the late Gosbert Sikerete Mandema, a prominent figure in the country’s liberation struggle, who passed away on November 18, 2023. The President’s office released a statement on Wednesday, paying tribute to Mandema’s significant contributions.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Geingob recognized Mandema as a pioneering veteran who played a crucial role in the political mobilization of Namibians in the Kavango and Zambezi regions during the early 1960s. Mandema’s efforts included facilitating communication through the Botswana Post Office to bypass postal scrutiny from Namibia, an action that significantly aided the liberation movement.

Mandema, who was detained for 21 days in the 1970s due to his liberation activities, also served as the Mayor of Rundu from 2007 to 2011. President Geingob extended his heartfelt condolences to Mandema’s widow, Elizabeth Shamuhembo, their children, and the entire family, honoring the late leader’s legacy and contribution to Namibia’s struggle for independence.

Windhoek – The new U.S. Embassy in Namibia, valued at USD 287 million (approximately NAD 5.412 billion), is scheduled for inauguration next week, according to Randy Berry, the American Ambassador to Namibia. Berry made this announcement during a media tour of the embassy on Wednesday, highlighting the project’s significant contribution to the local economy.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Berry noted that the construction of the embassy, which began on September 29, 2019, and concluded on November 27, 2023, employed around 2,000 Namibians, including 200 women. The embassy is set to become operational in January 2024.

The new embassy building features a gym, a basketball court, and over 4,000 native plants, including 300 trees, representing 33 different species native to Namibia. These plants are designed to require no irrigation. Scott Stables, the Construction Manager of Overseas Building Operations (OBO), highlighted that over six million hours were dedicated to constructing the building without any loss-of-time incidents or injuries.

Stables also pointed out that the embassy’s construction involved social responsibility initiatives, such as hosting over 200 students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) in the engineering and architecture departments.

The embassy complex includes ground parking spaces, a consular arrival court, managed scrublands, a green roof, terraced gardens, an undisturbed floodplain, and solar panels that provide over 400 kWp, powering 50 percent of the chancery’s needs. The U.S. government’s investment in the new compound has injected approximately USD 17 million into the Namibian economy.